More kerb crawlers caught cruising the streets for sex have been named and shamed.

Two men from Tyneside and three from Sunderland are the latest to be convicted of making trips to Teesside, the region's prostitution capital.

The men were among 14 to be sentenced in their absence at Middlesbrough Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty by letter to soliciting females for the purpose of prostitution

Cleveland Police launched an undercover camera operation in the secluded Riverside Industrial Estate at the end of last year, leading to a string of arrests.

Among them was Shahid Irshad, 33, of Tudor Wynd, Newcastle, who was fined &#xA3;400, and Christopher James West, 30, of Greystoke Avenue, Whickham, Gateshead, who was fined &#xA3;400 with &#xA3;25 costs.

Another three from Sunderland, David Stringer, of Marlow Drive, Moorside, Gary Bruce Anderson, of Rothbury, Ryhope, and Kevin Graeme Dixon, of Hardgate Road, Hillview, were fined &#xA3;200 each.

The 22-year-olds were caught with one prostitute in the same vehicle, police say.

About 70 per cent of kerb crawlers caught in Middlesbrough are from outside the area, many from Tyneside, Durham and Northumberland.

A Cleveland police spokesman said: "Let this be a warning to those travelling in."